Madison Architects

Matt J.

Verified review

Greg from Arch-Aide was a pleasure to work with! He was very friendly, fun, and respectful of our home during the original estimate and measurements. His turnaround on the plans/drawings he did was 1 day, and after a couple questions and modifications, we were done with the design and planning phase of our project in less than a week. And the price was pretty good too!
We would highly recommend Greg and Arch-Aide for your next project.

About

The great range & diversity of our work is truly a reflection of the diversity of our clientele & our ability to immerse ourselves in their vision. Each client brings with them a unique site, lifestyle & dream. Our interpretation of that dream results in a one-of-a-kind design that is unique to the owner. In addition, because our work spans both residential & commercial markets, we are exposed to products, materials & techniques that many residential designers are not. Some may see our design solutions as a bit riskier, but we believe that we are just better informed as to the available options!

About

About

Our firm is a small-sized group of professionals and associates committed to providing the client, be a homeowner or business owner, with professional services within the field of architecture and building design, as well as building code compliance.
While our company is small, we possess the capacity to perform services for small or mid size projects and do our own engineering, be it structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing, in house.
We consider ourselves committed and professional and have a great regard for our reputation, client's satisfaction, and opinion about our performance.
Normally, we charge a professional consultation fee of $100.00.
We believe in local economy and speak French and Spanish, too.

Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How do architects work?

Architects may work for an architecture or engineering firm, they may work for a government organization, they can work for a construction company, or they may be self-employed (freelance). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that architects spend a large amount of their working time in the home or company office: meeting with clients; creating reports and architectural drawings; and working with other architects and engineers. When not in an office, an architect is often at the construction site either as part of the development of plans or to ensure building progress is following the blueprint.

When a client interacts with an architect, it is typically to have them design drawings for the construction of a house or a building. If you are a client who has hired a large architecture firm, there may be a team of people working on your design. But if you are working with a freelance architect or a smaller firm, one person (or a small group) will take your concept and translate it into an architectural blueprint that a builder can use to construct a house. The plans will lay out everything from the depth of the foundation to the materials to use to the type of metal to be used in the reinforcement. Once the plans have been created and handed off to the builder, the architect may remain on the project — depending on budget — and oversee progress.

How do architects charge for their services?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median salary of an architect in 2016 was $76,930. This range included architects with every type of company as well as self-employed architects. Depending on the architect and whether they’re with a firm or independent, they may charge per hour or by the square foot, or they may charge a percentage of the total budget for a construction project. An hourly rate is typically used for smaller projects such as providing consultation, helping clients hone their concept before the design process begins, or drafting documents and plans. If an architect is working on an hourly basis on a larger project, there will usually be an agreed-upon cap on the number of hours they will work. For larger projects, such as new construction or total overhaul remodels, architects may charge a percentage of the total construction costs. The architect will usually set the percentage you will pay after the total cost of construction has been accounted for. Percentages can range within a firm depending on the extent of the services they’re providing. For example, a lower percentage of the total construction costs may include drafting and minimal consultation and guidance along the way, while a higher percentage could include on-site project management services with every detail attended to. Architects may also charge by the square footage of the project. The rate per square foot can vary depending on the individual’s training, the services they are providing, the complexity of the project, and other factors — such as obtaining permits. The national average cost to hire an architect is between $1,690 and $2,500.